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The Luberon Experiencewww.luberonexperience.comTrip Planning, France, Group Tours A unique small-group tour in the beautiful countryside of Provence, FranceLocation: Provence
Experience the Magic of Provence in the LuberonImagine a land of rugged limestone cliffs, rust-colored ochre hills, low mountains and peaceful farms… of old stone huts, crumbling farmhouses, and beautifully-restored homes… of sweeping views that never seem to end.. Imagine a land of old perched villages… of vineyards, cherry and olive trees, poppies and lavender… of vibrant markets selling flowers, fruits and fabrics… of ancient churches and castles. This land is the Luberon— a beautiful and peaceful oasis in Provence, a rural area stretching some 34 miles on either side of a small, rocky mountain range. The area offers travelers a wide diversity of experiences: a rich history dating back to prehistoric and Roman times, incredible landscapes of mountains and farmland, hilltop stone villages, the ruins of old castles, delightful outdoor markets, and a wide variety of food and wine. The light is fresh, the colors are vibrant, and the people are very welcoming. It’s a land where life moves more slowly, a land worth savoring... an ideal place to spend a leisurely week. The Luberon Experience isn't like other tours. We offer a slower, more relaxing way of traveling, very unlike most group trips. Our groups are small, usually 10 to 12 people with a style and interests very similar to yours. You won’t be herded around on a big bus, switching hotels every couple of days, moving from place to place on a rapid schedule while one of us reels off facts and figures. We stay in one place for the entire week (a small and beautiful B&B hotel), and we focus our explorations within a 30 minute drive from that base. The schedule is interesting and varied, but also relaxed and flexible, including a “free day” when you can pursue activities of special interest. Other travelers visit the Luberon-- you will experience it! Read comments from our travelers. Experience a VillageOur week is based in the perched village of Bonnieux (population 1436), centrally located north of the Luberon and one of the most beautiful villages in Provence. The village offers panoramic views of the valley, neighboring villages, and the 6263 foot peak of Mont Ventoux. During our week together, our groups become a real part of village life, enjoying the cafes and restaurants, shops, artist galleries, the Friday morning market, and maybe even a game of petanque. Experience the LifestyleWe live for the week in a traditional Provençal village house, recently restored to high standards and operated as a bed-and-breakfast hotel. Our group is normally the only guests and enjoys special attention from the friendly local hosts. The property has a swimming pool, an outdoor relaxation area, and an unforgettable view. There is plenty of unstructured time to enjoy these surroundings. Accommodations are in comfortable double rooms, each with an en-suite bath. Most rooms can be configured with a double or queen-sized bed or with two twin beds. Experience the Cuisine and WineFrance is known for its wonderful cuisine, and Provence has many local specialties you’ll want to try. Our meals are a highlight of our week and involve a variety of settings and styles. Each morning we have a leisurely breakfast at our B&B, including local breads, honey and in-season fruit. We enjoy a picnic lunch after a market visit, including various foods purchased that morning at the market. Our lunches and dinners take us to simple cafes, small intimate bistros, and award-winning restaurants. One special evening we'll help prepare a meal at the home of a friend, enjoying the results of our efforts at that evening's meal. The Luberon is a major wine region, surrounded by some very important wine-producing areas. We usually visit Chateau la Canorgue, the primary filming location for the movie "A Good Year." We also spend several hours at Domaine Faverot, a smaller family-owned winery, where we are the guests of the owners for lunch in their courtyard. You'll sample a variety of other local wines with our meals. Experience a Stress-free VacationWe handle the difficult aspects of international travel for you. We’ve arranged perfect accommodations, selected wonderful restaurants, and planned interesting and unique daily activities. We can even suggest a travel consultant to handle your transportation. You don’t have to worry about driving on unfamiliar roads or dealing in a foreign language. You won’t waste time unpacking, repacking and moving between hotels. Instead you’ll have time for unexpected pleasures. time on your own, and more time to explore this special area with an interesting small group of travel companions. We want you to feel like you’re renting a house with a group of friends. You’ll have the advantage of two leaders who know the area very well; you’ll meet some of our local friends and visit our favorite places. We’ll sample the best of life in the Luberon: the outdoor markets, the towns and villages, the never-ending views. You’ll enjoy the food and wine, taste the cheese, and even have a chance to do some cooking. You’ll have an experience that wouldn’t be possible on your own. Experience the Luberon with UsWe’re former members of “Corporate America” who have a shared passion for European travel and especially the life in the Luberon area of Provence. Now a college professor, Kathy spent most of her career as a Human Resources executive. Charley is a former sales specialist and stockbroker. We both enjoy literature, history, art, architecture, nature, food and wine, shopping, and being with people. These interests converged when we discovered European travel on our honeymoon trip 18 years ago. In 2004 we pursued our dream of living and traveling in Europe for 14 months. The highlight of our trip was our time in the Luberon, where we lived for 6-1/2 months. We rented a 17th century farmhouse between Bonnieux and Lacoste, surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and cherry trees. Our 11-year old daughter attended the village school, and we became part of everyday life in Bonnieux. We lived—and loved—the good life in the Luberon. Now back in America, we’re pursuing flexible careers that enable us to spend several months a year in Provence. We’re excited about sharing our love and indepth knowledge of the Luberon with other travelers through “The Luberon Experience.” We understand the needs, expectations and interests of English-speaking travelers. We'll make this a truly memorable vacation.
2010 Dates and PricesAll weeks are Saturday to Saturday. May 2010 May 15 - May 22 Women's Week (FULL) May 22 - May 29 May 29 - June 5 September 2010 September 18 - September 25 September 25 - October 2 Women's Week Our annual Women's Week is a truly special time for us. Our groups include solo women travelers and women traveling with a friend or family member. This has been an especially popular mother-daughter and sister-sister trip. Women ©are definitely welcome any of our weeks, but (with the exception of Charley), this special May week is ONLY for women. Price $2,500 per person triple-occupancy; $2,800 per person double-occupancy; $3,300 single-occupancy (in a double room). Price includes: 7 nights accommodation with en-suite bath; 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners (with wine); guided daytrips and special activities; all local transportation; and many extras. Participants make their own arrangements for air transportation and travel to the Avignon TGV station or the Marseille Airport. Although some trips may be full, cancellations are always possible. Please e-mail or call if you'd like to be on our waiting list. Recent NewsIn addition to five weeks of The Luberon Experience, our 2010 schedule includes other Experience trips to the Salzkammergut region of Austria and the Cotswolds in England. See www.european-experiences.com for more information about our 2010 trips. Our Experience trips were recently featured in articles on the Slow Europe website and the Farragut Press-Enterprise: European Experiences!, Touring the Cotswolds in Your Own Way, Faces of Germany and Austria. In early 2009 we announced our new website, www.european-experiences.com, broadening our emphasis to include trips to other areas of Europe that we love. In June 2009 we hosted "Experience" trips in the Salzkammergut region of lakes and mountains in Austria and the Bavarian Alps in Germany. In March 2007 we had the opportunity to meet writer Peter Mayle ("A Year in Provence"). Read about it here. USA Today featured a major story on Provence in their November 3, 2006 issue. They recommended The Luberon Experience! Read the story here. The website Europe for Visitors also recommended The Luberon Experience. Read their article here. Contact InformationCompany: The Luberon Experience Name: Kathy and Charley Wood Street: 945 Ethans Glen Drive City: Knoxville State/Province: Tennessee Country: USA Zip/Postal Code: 37923 Phone: 865-693-3036 Website: www.luberonexperience.com E-mail: Click here to send an e-mail inquiryListing #2180, on Slow Travel since 3/10/2006 |
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